Most of us begin our working lives with at least a vague idea of what we want to do and where we want to end up, but life has a way of surprising us. The career pivots of these 11 women brought them into the world of travel.
Renowned entrepreneur and author Arianna Huffington once described the typical career journey as being ‘full of detours that lead to discoveries’ and the stories of these women remind us that it’s never too late to try something new – and that it could lead you towards a chapter immersed in wanderlust.
Asset Manager to Hotelier: Leslie Kouhana
Looking at the chic yet cosy properties in the Maisons Pariente collection – Le Grand Mazarin in Paris, Le Coucou in Méribel, Crillon le Brave in Provence, and Lou Pinet in Saint-Tropez – it’s surprising to hear that Leslie Kouhana was not always a hotelier. She left her job as an asset manager at a real estate company and, along with her sister Kimberly and father Patrick (another career pivoter, he founded the fashion brand Naf Naf before going into real estate and hotels), went on to create a hospitality brand that exudes French sophistication with a modern flair. As co-founder and chairwoman of Maisons Pariente, Leslie has leant on her strengths in strategy and operations to help fuel Maisons Pariente’s growth as it leads the way in delivering a home-away-from home experience with ultra-personalised service and a strong brand identity.
Law to Lakes: Phoebe Vela Hitchcox
With a career that spans roles in events, communications, and media at companies like the Financial Times, Informa, and Bell Pottinger (which published The Daily Telegraph and The Spectator), Phoebe Vela Hitchcox has seen it all. She originally studied law, before realising it wasn’t the best avenue for her superpowers of connecting people and building communities. Now, as group executive director of 850-acre luxury Cotswolds estate The Lakes by YOO, Phoebe has spearheaded a corporate events business, helped launch a spa and wellness centre in partnership with Kate Moss’s brand COSMOSS, and is continuously looking for ways to incorporate the estate’s stunning natural surroundings with the overall guest experience. How to make such a pivot? “Trust the value of the skills you already have,” she tells us. “A career change doesn’t mean starting from zero – it means reframing your strengths in a new context. Lean into that discomfort. Your skills translate beautifully, but the magic happens when you combine them with a genuine willingness to serve and adapt on the fly.”
Fashion Executive to CCO: Jessica Martino Enan
When luxury hospitality group Auberge Collection announced a rebrand alongside plans to grow their portfolio of hotels, resorts, and residences, many wondered who would be brought in to help steer the ship. Seasoned fashion executive Jessica Martino Enan – who held senior positions at the likes of Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Vogue, and LVMH – was the woman for the job. With a strong track record in digital transformation, innovation, brand strategy, and a keen understanding of customer behaviour in the luxury space, Jessica’s leadership in her position of CCO will be integral through Auberge Collection’s period of rapid growth, which includes new openings in London, Dallas, Florence, and Geneva.
Red Carpet Reporting to Podcasting: Holly Rubenstein
Throwing a microphone in front of the rich and famous and asking them hard-hitting questions was all in a day’s work for Holly Rubenstein as she worked the red carpet reporting for Reuters and The BBC. However, a life-defining event urged her to switch gears, and she decided to lean into one of her greatest loves: travel. Since launching The Travel Diaries in 2019 – now the UK’s no. 1 travel podcast – Holly, a travel journalist, podcast host, editor and creator of The Travel Diaries, has interviewed everyone from Stanley Tucci to Poppy Delevingne and Joanna Lumley about their favourite haunts, travel tips, and the invaluable lessons they’ve learned through trips across the globe. “Becoming my own boss and building The Travel Diaries from scratch has opened the door to extraordinary people, unforgettable travel, and commercial opportunities I never imagined. As a mum of two, being completely in control of my diary is something I’m profoundly grateful for and the flexibility it has given me has been life-changing,” she shares. “If you have an idea that excites you, trust your gut, seize the space in the market, and take the leap. It is scary, but so worth it.”
Corporate to Conservation: Katharina Raaben
Amidst the rural hollows of an ancient Sri Lankan kingdom, you’ll find Uga Ulagalla – a stunning retreat where guests are immersed into a lush paradise of greenery and fresh air. Protecting Sri Lanka’s wildlife and natural resources is a key pillar of the resort’s mission, and at the centre of these efforts is Katharina Raaben. After leaving the corporate life in Germany, Katharina pursued her passion for conservation and became a safari guide in South Africa’s Kruger National Park. Today, as head naturalist at Uga Ulagalla, she spends her time educating guests, monitoring local wildlife, and running the resort’s Elephant Research Centre.
Multi-Hyphenate (Model, Girl Band Member and More) to Yacht Charter Director: Sarah Seery
When it comes to embodying a multi-hyphenate, there’s no one more fitting than Sarah Seery – the creative and people director of luxury yacht experience company Silolona Sojourns – who has enjoyed past lives in the renewable energy sector, events industry, and even as a model and girl band member. She calls this move a ‘natural transition’, one that allows her to continue the legacy started by her husband Tresno and mother-in-law Patti in telling the stories behind Indonesia’s magical islands to all who hop aboard. “This role has made me step up – as a leader, a role model, and a person. It’s taught me to take full responsibility, to grow from the inside out, and to lead with heart. I wake up every day with more purpose, drive, and ambition than I’ve ever had before. And I’m genuinely grateful for that,” she says. As for how to make a career switch, “my advice is to pause and listen to what feels aligned for you,” she tells us. “Talk to a few people who’ve already made similar transitions – real stories will ground your expectations and expand your sense of what’s possible. Do your research, trust your instincts, and don’t wait for everything to be perfect before you begin.”
Business Technology to Luxury Rentals: Ashlee Collins
Ashlee Collins cut her teeth working at Deloitte as a business technology consultant where she advised Fortune 500 clients on technology transformation and supply chain operations. This experience gave her the rock-solid foundation she needed when joining luxury travel club Inspirato, where she spent a decade working in product, technology, and operations. As the newly-appointed president of onefinestay, a brand that has dominated the luxury private home rental market, Ashlee’s human-centric approach allows her to continuously innovate while adapting to the ever-changing needs of her customers.
Swiss Alps to The World: Bella Syme
As someone who spent over a decade racing up and down the Swiss Alps as a professional skier and freeride coach, Bella Syme is used to living life on the edge. Harnessing her love for the outdoors and little black book of contacts, the athlete-turned-entrepreneur launched ALS Private, a luxury travel company that crafts bespoke experiences for an ultra-high-net-worth clientele. While her deep expertise in Alpine destinations was the initial focus of her company, she has since taken ALS Private off-piste with custom itineraries to India, French Polynesia, the French Riviera, among other breath-taking destinations.
Law to Luxury Hotels: Minh Tam Nguyen
Taking on a leadership role at a luxury wellness resort was probably not on the cards for Minh Tam Nguyen when she was on the gruelling journey towards achieving degrees in Political Sciences and Business from Columbia University and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Sydney. After practicing at global law firm Squire Patton Boggs, she made the shift to hospitality by taking on the role of General Director at Six Senses Con Dao, the uber-luxe sanctuary situated within a protected national park on the southern Vietnamese island. In addition to overseeing the holistic vision and operations of the resort, she sits at the helm of real estate developer Norfolk Group as its CEO. “This evolution has forged a powerful synergy,” she reveals, “the analytical rigor, or ‘logic,’ developed during my legal tenure now seamlessly integrates with the ‘creative’ of operational execution, providing a balanced and holistic perspective that’s essential for ensuring positive change and impactful transformation within my hospitality projects.”
Reality TV to Rustic Refuge: Montana Brown
Montana Brown is no stranger to the limelight – she’s graced television screens on shows such as Love Island and Celebrity Mastermind – but her newest venture sees her taking a step back from the glitz and glamour and into something more pared back. Tucked between the mystical North York Moors and the powerful North Sea lies Saltmoore, the rustic chic refuge lovingly transformed by Montana and her husband, where wellness and immersion in the surrounding landscape take centre stage. Her vision is woven into every aspect of the 19th century estate – from its distinct interiors to the state-of-the-art wellness programme, earning Saltmoore a coveted two Michelin keys.
Advertising to Experiential Travel: Maria Lilly Flakk
Being the daughter of entrepreneurs, it was only natural that Maria Lilly Flakk decided to live a life fuelled by that same innovative spirit. The former art director and advertising creative now holds board member roles and senior positions at the Flakk Group – the parent company of experiential travel firm 62°NORD – and in 2022 took the helm as founder and creative director of heritage knitwear brand O.A.D. Her marketing prowess has helped 62°NORD attract guests from all over the world and show them the unparalleled beauty of the Norwegian fjords.
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